Which of the following are considered physical hazards presented by chemicals?

The correct answer identifies explosive, flammable, and unstable chemicals as physical hazards. These attributes are vital in assessing how a chemical can pose a risk in the workplace.

Explosives can lead to immediate and catastrophic outcomes, creating shock waves or fires that can cause injury or destruction. Flammables are substances that can easily ignite and sustain combustion, leading to fires or explosions under the right conditions. Unstable chemicals can change form or react unpredictably, leading to hazardous situations. These characteristics fall under the definition of physical hazards, which are defined by their ability to cause injuries from the physical state or behavior of the chemical itself.

In contrast, carcinogens, toxins, and irritants are primarily concerned with health hazards, affecting health over longer durations or through biological pathways rather than physical interactions. Slippery surfaces, sharp objects, and heavy items can pose risks, but they aren't classified as chemical-related physical hazards. Corrosive, toxic, and volatile chemicals are generally classified under health hazards and toxicity rather than purely physical hazards, which involve the immediate physical properties and behaviors of the substances.